Mourinho starts from scratch

LONDON – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is ready to go back to basics as he tries to regain his grip on the Premiership title.

Mourinho’s side have been English football’s dominant force since the Portuguese coach arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, but their two-year reign as champions is under severe threat from Manchester United. Despite having the most formidable array of talent in the Premiership at his disposal, Mourinho has been unable to keep Chelsea level with United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are now eight points ahead of the Blues.If Chelsea are to avoiding losing touch with United altogether they must beat Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today.A win against Glenn Roeder’s strugglers in Chelsea’s game in hand on United would reduce the gap to five points and give Mourinho’s men fresh confidence that they can overhaul the leaders.But Mourinho has a selection poser to solve as he ponders the best way to put the pressure back on United.The pre-season signings of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack were expected to take Chelsea out of even United’s range.However, those two high-profile arrivals may have disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm.In his first two seasons in London, Mourinho employed a 4-3-3 formation with striker Didier Drogba assisted by two wingers, normally Arjen Robben and Joe Cole.To accomodate Shevchenko and Ballack, Mourinho is now playing a 4-1-3-2 system that does not use wingers at all and his side look more predictable as a result.It took the introduction of wide players Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips to galvanise Chelsea during their 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday and Mourinho admits he is considering changing the starting line-up.Dutch star Robben was especially impressive in the final 25 minutes on Sunday and he is in line for a recall against Newcastle.Mourinho said: “I liked the contribution Arjen gave us.Maybe there is a case for him to start.”I keep saying to the players that they help me to make choices.They help me to decide who is in and out of the team.”It is very important what they do on the pitch to push me to make the decisions.”The contribution Arjen gave was important for us.He came into the game with the score at 0-0 and when it finished it was 1-1, so he didn’t win points for us, but he changed the face of the game.”Mourinho is convinced Chelsea can still retain their title but he knows it is vital to beat Newcastle.If Chelsea can win on Wednesday and then defeat Everton on Sunday afternoon, they could be just two points behind United by the time Ferguson’s team kick-off at West Ham in Sunday’s late match.”I hope to be here on Wednesday saying the points difference is five.If that is the case we are ready for the fight,” Mourinho said.The other major concern for Mourinho at present is the absence of goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.Cech is unlikely to play again this season after fracturing his skull against Reading, while Cudicini is out with a leg muscle injury.Hilario has deputised in the last two matches, but the Portuguese keeper was at fault as his weak attempted save failed to keep out Mathieu Flamini’s strike on Sunday.Mourinho maintains Hilario will keep his place ahead of the recently signed Swede Magnus Hedman and he said: “I don’t know if he made a mistake or not because I haven’t seen it on video yet.”I have to analyse it, but even if he did make a mistake he has done very well for us.”Nobody has a third goalkeeper better than Chelsea.I am happy with his contribution.If he made a mistake he still has my protection.”Nampa-AFPDespite having the most formidable array of talent in the Premiership at his disposal, Mourinho has been unable to keep Chelsea level with United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are now eight points ahead of the Blues.If Chelsea are to avoiding losing touch with United altogether they must beat Newcastle at Stamford Bridge today.A win against Glenn Roeder’s strugglers in Chelsea’s game in hand on United would reduce the gap to five points and give Mourinho’s men fresh confidence that they can overhaul the leaders.But Mourinho has a selection poser to solve as he ponders the best way to put the pressure back on United.The pre-season signings of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack were expected to take Chelsea out of even United’s range.However, those two high-profile arrivals may have disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm.In his first two seasons in London, Mourinho employed a 4-3-3 formation with striker Didier Drogba assisted by two wingers, normally Arjen Robben and Joe Cole.To accomodate Shevchenko and Ballack, Mourinho is now playing a 4-1-3-2 system that does not use wingers at all and his side look more predictable as a result.It took the introduction of wide players Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips to galvanise Chelsea during their 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday and Mourinho admits he is considering changing the starting line-up.Dutch star Robben was especially impressive in the final 25 minutes on Sunday and he is in line for a recall against Newcastle.Mourinho said: “I liked the contribution Arjen gave us.Maybe there is a case for him to start.”I keep saying to the players that they help me to make choices.They help me to decide who is in and out of the team.”It is very important what they do on the pitch to push me to make the decisions.”The contribution Arjen gave was important for us.He came into the game with the score at 0-0 and when it finished it was 1-1, so he didn’t win points for us, but he changed the face of the game.”Mourinho is convinced Chelsea can still retain their title but he knows it is vital to beat Newcastle.If Chelsea can win on Wednesday and then defeat Everton on Sunday afternoon, they could be just two points behind United by the time Ferguson’s team kick-off at West Ham in Sunday’s late match.”I hope to be here on Wednesday saying the points difference is five.If that is the case we are ready for the fight,” Mourinho said.The other major concern for Mourinho at present is the absence of goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.Cech is unlikely to play again this season after fracturing his skull against Reading, while Cudicini is out with a leg muscle injury.Hilario has deputised in the last two matches, but the Portuguese keeper was at fault as his weak attempted save failed to keep out Mathieu Flamini’s strike on Sunday.Mourinho maintains Hilario will keep his place ahead of the recently signed Swede Magnus Hedman and he said: “I don’t know if he made a mistake or not because I haven’t seen it on video yet.”I have to analyse it, but even if he did make a mistake he has done very well for us.”Nobody has a third goalkeeper better than Chelsea.I am happy with his contribution.If he made a mistake he still has my protection.”Nampa-AFP